Staff

Nanette Heard has been Executive Director of United Way of Northeast Arkansas (UWNEA) since November, 2010. Originally hired as an accountant in 2004, she previously worked as a staff accountant with Jones & Company. Nanette has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. She has experience in writing and working with grants since 2004 and previously served as President for the State of Arkansas Assoc. of United Way. Nanette is a graduate of Leadership Jonesboro (class of 2014) and received a certificate of achievement through Dale Carnegie in 2011. She is active with Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce serving as a Goodwill Ambassador, Community Benefits Organization and Jonesboro Unlimited Committees. She is also a member of Jonesboro Rotary Club, American Advertising Federation, P.E.O (Chapter AJ), SHRM and is a life member of Junior Auxiliary. Nanette and her husband Ron have been married since 2003 and are members of First United Methodist Church.

Fun Fact: It’s been rumored Nanette has never met a pair of shoes she didn’t like!

Ruth Ann Baker came to United Way of Northeast Arkansas in 2005 after 20 years of retail management. She has served as Accountant since November 2010. Raised in Craighead County, she attended Arkansas State University. She and her husband enjoy living in the heart of Jonesboro, where everything is just minutes away.

Shaila Creekmore joined the United Way of Northeast Arkansas in April 2016 as Director of Business Development. Before joining the United Way staff, she was a photographer and writer for Occasions Publishing Group for 11 years where she worked with numerous non-profits promoting and publicizing their work in the community. She is an associate member of Junior Auxiliary where she served as President and currently serves on the district committee for the Crowley’s Ridge District of Boy Scouts of America. A native of Little Rock, Shaila graduated from Arkansas State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with an emphasis in Photojournalism and a minor in Sociology. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married 18 years and have two boys, Samuel and Tyler who attend Valley View.

Fun Fact: Shaila can tie just about any situation in life to an episode of Friends.

Tiffany A. Gipson, is a native Texan who relocated to Jonesboro, Arkansas, in the fall of 2016. As Director of Community Impact for the United Way of Northeast Arkansas she facilitates programs within the Education, Health and Income interests of the UWNEA. She is from Lubbock, Texas, where she worked in the Lubbock Christian University (LCU) School of Business, developing and encouraging students in her role as the career and development advisor. Tiffany was also an Adjunct Professor during her tenure with LCU. Tiffany is also a certified Highlands affiliate trainer. Tiffany has a Bachelor’s degree in Management and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership. Tiffany is a former PTA President. She has previously served on the board of the Lubbock Economic Council. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys music, reading, and watching sports with her children. Tiffany lives with her husband, Michael, and their three children, Kaedence, Tristan and Mike, Jr.